Personal Digital Devices
Standard features of a portable device
Interfaces
Many portable devices e.g. tablets, phones now have a touch screen interface - this makes them easy to use
Convergence
Convergence: When one device is developed to carry out functions that were previously carried out by a range of different devices e.g. mobile phones have GPS capabilities, include cameras, have web browsers etc.
Methods of transferring data between Digital Devices
Flash Memory: Used by many digital devices including mobile phones, digital cameras and digital video cameras. Most common format is SD with storage capacity up to 2GB. SDHC cards provide more storage and store up to 32GB making them more appropriate for Digital Video Cameras.
Bluetooth: used to exchange data over short distances. Involves “pairing” devices.
USB: used to connect peripheral devices to a computer e.g. a digital camera
When choosing a way to transfer media e.g. photographs, video from a digital device to a computer. The transfer speeds would be:
1. SD Card : 15-45 Megabyte/sec
2. USB: 480 Megabit/sec
3. Bluetooth: 1Megabit /sec
GPS (Satnav's)
GPS technology in satellite navigation systems can be used to:
Metadata: provides information about the content of a digital item e.g. data and time it was taken, camera type etc.
Geotag: Data added to a digital image that records the geographical coordinates of where an image was taken giving the location of where it was taken. Uses GPS technology Geotags can be used by social networking websites to for example, display images taken in the same location.
GPS Tracking (Used by businesses)
GPS Tracking: GPS Tracking devices are used in lots of ways by businesses because they allow the exact location of, for example delivery vehicles to be pinpointed. This means that that the speed of a vehicle as well as the time it is on the road can be monitored.
Advantages for businesses: Increase in efficiency as the time that the vehicle spends on the road can be monitored , this means that the time for example an employee spends on a lunch break can be monitored.
Disadvantages for businesses: Loss of trust between employer and employee. May encourage risk taking e.g. speeding if employees think they are being monitored.
Using Digital Devices away from home
Roaming: Using a mobile phone outside the UK - something that you generally switch off if you travel abroad because it can be expensive
Connections: You can choose to connect to a network via a cable or wireless connection. Cable connections are faster and more secure than wireless connections
Hotspot: A venue that offers a wireless internet connection.
- Small size and lightweight making them portable
- Long battery life
- Solid state memory
Interfaces
Many portable devices e.g. tablets, phones now have a touch screen interface - this makes them easy to use
Convergence
Convergence: When one device is developed to carry out functions that were previously carried out by a range of different devices e.g. mobile phones have GPS capabilities, include cameras, have web browsers etc.
Methods of transferring data between Digital Devices
Flash Memory: Used by many digital devices including mobile phones, digital cameras and digital video cameras. Most common format is SD with storage capacity up to 2GB. SDHC cards provide more storage and store up to 32GB making them more appropriate for Digital Video Cameras.
Bluetooth: used to exchange data over short distances. Involves “pairing” devices.
USB: used to connect peripheral devices to a computer e.g. a digital camera
When choosing a way to transfer media e.g. photographs, video from a digital device to a computer. The transfer speeds would be:
1. SD Card : 15-45 Megabyte/sec
2. USB: 480 Megabit/sec
3. Bluetooth: 1Megabit /sec
GPS (Satnav's)
GPS technology in satellite navigation systems can be used to:
- Give directions to a destination
- Give travelling time to a destination
- Give directions to local Points of Interest e.g Petrol Stations
Metadata: provides information about the content of a digital item e.g. data and time it was taken, camera type etc.
Geotag: Data added to a digital image that records the geographical coordinates of where an image was taken giving the location of where it was taken. Uses GPS technology Geotags can be used by social networking websites to for example, display images taken in the same location.
GPS Tracking (Used by businesses)
GPS Tracking: GPS Tracking devices are used in lots of ways by businesses because they allow the exact location of, for example delivery vehicles to be pinpointed. This means that that the speed of a vehicle as well as the time it is on the road can be monitored.
Advantages for businesses: Increase in efficiency as the time that the vehicle spends on the road can be monitored , this means that the time for example an employee spends on a lunch break can be monitored.
Disadvantages for businesses: Loss of trust between employer and employee. May encourage risk taking e.g. speeding if employees think they are being monitored.
Using Digital Devices away from home
Roaming: Using a mobile phone outside the UK - something that you generally switch off if you travel abroad because it can be expensive
Connections: You can choose to connect to a network via a cable or wireless connection. Cable connections are faster and more secure than wireless connections
Hotspot: A venue that offers a wireless internet connection.